Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder or acquired psychiatric disorder to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's current low back disorder is due to in-service injuries and has been granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spines, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, traumatic brain injury, and allergic rhinitis. The disability ratings remain at their current levels.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, is found to be related to his active service and thus granted service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service and the Board finds that she has a current diagnosis of this condition. The other psychiatric disorders are not currently addressed as they were not specifically mentioned in her claims or during the hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in reaching a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosed low back disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for a right knee disability remains pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lower facet joint disease and to determine the nature and etiology of his erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain medical records, provide addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection and remand VA examinations.

The Board has determined that a VA spine examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his active service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability determination copies.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine arthritis was granted as it is presumed to have been present within one year of his discharge from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left leg and foot disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and migraines. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that his right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy do not warrant an increased rating.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral artery disease were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and left knee degenerative joint disease were found to not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,A TDIU was also denied as the Veteran does not have a single disability rated at 60 percent or a combined disability rating of 70 percent with one disability rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis in the left wrist, no manifestations of hypertension or diabetes to a degree of 10 percent within one year post-service, and insufficient continuity of symptoms since service for these conditions. The low back disability was not shown in service, did not manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year from separation, and is not otherwise related to service. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and heart condition claims were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disc disease warrants a 20 percent rating from April 18, 2011 to February 24, 2015. For periods prior to and after this date, the disability does not warrant an increased rating. The service connection claim for a foot disability is denied.

The Board finds that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined effects medical opinion and consideration of all evidence of record.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.